Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc 22 Unit 1 Foundations of Medical Law and Ethics and Chinese medical writings called for physicians to practice with humility, compassion, and concern for the patient’s well-being. The first known book on medical ethics, Adab al-Tabib (Conduct of a Physician), was written in the 9th century AD by Ishaq bin Ali Rahawi. This book became increasingly recognized during the late Middle Ages. Rahawi’s work, along with later works by Jewish scholar Maimonides (1138–1204 AD) and by Catholic philosophical leader Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274 AD), served as the basis for a discussion of medical ethics throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. In 1803, English physician Thomas Percival published his famous Medical Ethics, a code of professional conduct for physicians and Goodheart-Willcox Publisher translated by Michael North, National Library of Medicine, 2002 Figure 2.2 The principles put forth in the classic Hippocratic Oath have formed a basis for medical codes of ethics for centuries. The Classical Oath of Hippocrates I swear by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Hygeia, and Panacea, and all the gods and goddesses as my witness, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this contract: To hold him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents, to be a partner in life with him, and to fulfill his needs when required to look upon his offspring as equals to my own siblings, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or contract and that by the set of rules, lectures, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowl- edge of the art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to students bound by this contract and having sworn this Oath to the law of medicine, but to no others. I will use those dietary regimens which will benefit my patients according to my greatest ability and judgment, and I will do no harm or injustice to them. I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion. In purity and according to divine law will I carry out my life and art. I will not use a knife, even upon those suffering from stones, but I will leave this to those who are trained in this craft. Into whatever homes I go, I will enter them for the benefit of the sick, avoiding any voluntary act of impropriety or corruption, including the seduc- tion of women or men, whether they are free men or slaves. Whatever I see or hear in the lives of my patients, whether in connec- tion with my professional practice or not, which ought not to be spoken of outside, I will keep secret, as considering all such things to be private. So long as I maintain this Oath faithfully and without corruption, may it be granted to me to partake of life fully and the practice of my art, gaining the respect of all men for all time. However, should I transgress this Oath or violate it, may the opposite be my fate.